Zola in the Frame for Sunderland Job

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For the second day in succession, Sunderland are back-page news. So there is a positive from sacking your manager, I suppose.

The early indications were that Roberto Di Matteo was favourite to succeed Paolo Di Canio, but these things often change quickly and the Mail is now reporting that Sunderland are planning to delve into the Championship.

According to Sami Mokbel, the Black Cats have trained their sights on Watford boss Gianfranco Zola and Blackpool manager Paul Ince.

Gianfranco Zola and Paul Ince have emerged as surprise contenders to land the Sunderland job.

The club’s hierarchy held an emergency board meeting on Monday after the decision to sack Paolo Di Canio.

Potential candidates to replace the Italian were discussed, with Watford chief Zola and Blackpool boss Ince understood to be among those in the frame.

Mokbel says Di Matteo, Gus Poyet and Neil Lennon are still in the frame, and claims contact has been made with the first two who are both currently out of work.

Mata to Fight on at Chelsea

Juan Mata is set to get a chance to impress Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho in the Capital One Cup clash with Swindon on Tuesday.

He has found life tough since Mourinho’s arrival, and he was told at the weekend that he must adapt his game if he is the secure regular playing time.

It would appear the Spaniard is ready to heed Mourinho’s words of warning, as a report from David Woods—which he tags as "exclusive"—in the Daily Star says the midfielder will “knuckle down” at Chelsea.

In his piece, Woods says:

Mourinho made it clear on the eve of the Fulham game that despite Spanish star Mata being Chelsea's top scorer last season with 20 goals, he was unhappy with his contribution in other areas, like tracking back, tackling and winning 50-50 balls.

And Mata - having seen the statistics to back up Mourinho's complaints - has agreed his coach has a point.

It is understood that although Mata was not impressed at how Mourinho made his points about his shortcomings so publicly, he is ready to adapt his game.